DeepSummary
The episode features an interview with author Kacen Callender, who discusses their journey from writing Harry Potter fan fiction as a kid to becoming a published author of young adult novels centered around Black LGBTQ protagonists. Callender talks about their latest book 'Felix Ever After' and the importance of representation in fiction, especially for trans and queer youth.
Callender reflects on the challenges of navigating online spaces and fan communities, where discussions around representation and morality can become overwhelming. They highlight the need for accountability and growth when mistakes are made, rather than shaming and a refusal to forgive.
The conversation also touches on the craft of writing, allowing characters to make mistakes and grow, and the pressures faced by marginalized authors. Callender emphasizes the importance of creating space for complex, flawed characters while acknowledging the unique perspectives and experiences that inform their writing.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Kacen Callender's young adult novels, such as 'Felix Ever After,' center Black LGBTQ protagonists and their experiences of self-discovery and learning to love themselves.
- Representation in fiction is crucial, especially for marginalized communities like trans and queer youth, as it fosters empathy and provides positive visibility.
- Online spaces and fan communities can be both empowering and overwhelming for authors, with discussions around representation and morality sometimes becoming toxic or unproductive.
- Authors of marginalized identities often face additional pressures and scrutiny, with their characters and personal experiences placed under a microscope.
- Writing complex, flawed characters who make mistakes and grow throughout a story is an essential aspect of the craft, but marginalized authors and characters are often not afforded the same space for imperfection.
- Callender's approach to writing involves elements of wish fulfillment, exploring lives and experiences they wished they had as a youth.
- Navigating accountability and growth when mistakes are made is more productive than shaming and a refusal to forgive, both in writing and in online communities.
- Callender's upcoming book 'Lark and Kasim Star Revolution' will explore themes of marginalization, people-pleasing, and finding the courage to be one's authentic self.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “All those conversations are necessary to even have our stories seen and heard. They're necessary for the protection of children.“ by Kacen Callender
- “But we're not as a black person, queer trans. He wasn't given that space to actually be able to grow because we're just not given that space as we should be.“ by Kacen Callender
- “And that was actually the spark to my next book where it's called Lark and Kasim Star Revolution, my next ya. It's actually about a black, queer, non binary kid, Larke, who is a people pleaser because they really want to escape that unfairness, that judgment about who they're allowed to be because of all their marginalizations.“ by Kacen Callender
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Episode Information
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NPR
9/24/21
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